Standing Out as an Employee and a Leader: Embracing the Journey and Achieving the Extraordinary

As the CEO of To-Increase, I am fortunate to be at the helm of an organization that’s not just focused on growth and innovation, but on cultivating exceptional leaders and people. In this post I want to share some insights drawn not just from my own experience, but also inspired by an insightful interview with former President Barack Obama. This is relevant for all of us - whether we are an aspiring entrepreneur, an ambitious graduate, or a seasoned professional. It goes beyond the walls of To-Increase and speaks to the partners, customers, and colleagues we interact with every day.

The primary attribute that differentiates a leader, as Obama shares in his interview, is the ability to say, "Let me take care of that". True leaders are not merely problem describers, but problem solvers. They possess an unwavering resolve to take challenges head-on, confident in their ability to solve problems – both small and large. I cannot stress enough how crucial this attribute is. As we navigate an increasingly complex business landscape, our customers, partners, and colleagues are not looking for explanations on why an issue has arisen. They're seeking assurance that we can, and will, resolve it. This applies for everyone in the business.

"Let me take care of that"

Demonstrating this kind of proactive problem-solving not only builds trust, but also sets you apart. "That is somebody who can get something done," people will say/feel, and that is how you stand out. This ability to deliver solutions is something we, at To-Increase, highly value and continuously seek to foster in our teams.

However, equally essential is the philosophy, "Worry more about what you want to do than what you want to be." (Barack Obama) This concept is about being less preoccupied with titles and financial milestones, and more engrossed in the journey that leads you there. If you focus solely on the end result, you risk losing sight of the passion, curiosity, and tenacity that will sustain you through the challenging journey towards those goals.

"Worry more about what you want to do than what you want to be." (Barack Obama)

For instance, aspiring to lead a billion-dollar company without embracing the trials and tribulations it takes to build one, would be like hoping to finish a marathon without the will to train for it. It is crucial to ask ourselves if we're ready to invest the long hours, to weather failures, and most importantly, to find joy in the work that leads us towards our goals. As Obama rightly points out, the most successful people are not those fixated on achievements, but those who are truly engrossed in the journey and their chosen field.

When anyone asks me how I have gotten to where I am now, I share that it was by focusing and worrying about what I had to do now and doing that well. Making sure I take on the challenges and enjoy the journey since I was doing things I wanted to do and loved doing. It was never by worrying about how I would get the next promotion. I got the next promotion by doing what I was doing well first and paying my dues. I solved issues not only in my area but across the business to assure we were successful.

I got the next promotion by doing what I was doing well first and paying my dues.

So, as you chart your professional journey, it’s crucial to find something that appeals to you, something that ignites your curiosity and enthusiasm. As leaders or aspiring leaders, we must be absorbed in the essence of what we do. It's in this immersive engagement where mastery is born, and success follows. At To-Increase, I promote this sense of engagement and curiosity at every level. It's one of our secret ingredients to success.

Ultimately, whether or not you achieve the recognition you desire, the journey itself will be rewarding if you choose a path that genuinely captivates you. Leadership, after all, is not just about achieving an end goal, but about thriving in the journey and making a difference along the way. It’s about stepping up, taking responsibility, owning it and saying, "Let me take care of that."

So, to our esteemed employees, partners, customers, and friends - remember, it’s not just about being a leader, but about what you do as one. It's about embracing challenges, embodying passion, and standing out by solving problems with a sense of resolve and commitment.

Let's learn from each other and improve as individuals and as a team so we can make an impact in our lives, and the world at large.

This is what we strive for at To-Increase, and I am confident that together, we will continue to grow, innovate, and lead in our respective journeys. Let's make the most of our journey and stand out, not just as leaders, but as extraordinary problem solvers and trailblazers. Let's learn from each other and improve as individuals and as a team so we can make an impact in our lives, and the world at large.